This is a Civic sedan.

Let me repeat that: This is a Civic sedan.

When you step on the accelerator, your head doesn’t snap back. Your gums don’t bleed. It will probably never be tuned. It will never win a road rally driven by people whose favorite show is “Jackass.” I don’t think that any quarter-mile records will be broken.

That’s because this is a Civic sedan.

People don’t buy Civic sedans for those sorts of things. They buy them for reliable, dependable, affordable, comparatively comfortable transportation. To commute to work or school. To go to the grocery store. To do daily things. Which is why plenty of Civics are sold each year.

The Civic Hybrid sedan raises the status a little bit. Although it is true, as other automakers argue, that when hybrid-powered SUVs hit the streets, they’ll be saving more gasoline than cars like the Civic, it is also true that you can buy a hybrid-powered Civic right now.

The one we drove had a sticker of $21,099. The option that it had was floor mats. But standard stuff includes power windows, keyless entry, cruise control, climate control, AM/FM/CD, and various bits of chrome trim that are nice touches vis-à-vis the plastic on the IP. The exterior is slightly different than a run of the mill Civic, such as a modified front fascia and a spoiler on the trunk. All of which is to say that the Civic Hybrid is positioned as the top-of-the-line in the Civic lineup. It is not to be perceived as econobox in terms of looks and/or amenities.

But remind yourself: This is a Civic sedan.

The big difference, of course, is under the hood and in the trunk. Under the hood as in the 1.3-liter engine that’s mated with a continuously variable transmission (there is a five-speed manual available, as well). In the trunk as in the battery module, which contains 120 1.2-volt nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cells and is positioned flat up against the back of the rear seat, subtracting a bit of room yet leaving a reasonable amount for carrying things.

The Civic Hybrid makes use of the second-generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). Mark that: Second generation. The assist takes the form of a 13-hp DC brushless electric motor that kicks in to supplement the gasoline engine. The key word is assistance. When accelerating, the electric motor comes into play. When cruising, the gas engine does the job.

Some people think: “Hmm, electric motor, batteries. . .where do you plug it in?” You don’t. The motor becomes a generator when, say, braking, so all of that energy isn’t wasted, as it is in ordinary cars.

If all the planets are aligned, there is a sticker mpg rating of 48 city and 47 highway—that’s right: the opposite of the normal course of affairs. That’s because of (1) the greater use of the electric motor when driving in gridlock and the like and (2) the fact that the engine is turned off during complete stops (assuming that the ambient temperature conditions are sufficiently warm enough and the climate control isn’t switched to AC). (In case you’re wondering: the electric motor is used to re-start the engine.) During my week behind the wheel, I was only able to get 40.4 mpg, which I attribute to colder-than-normal Detroit December weather and a considerable percentage of freeway driving.

Unlike many people, apparently, I don’t particularly like visiting gas stations. Especially during the winter. So as I watched the gauge that indicated how I was doing with regard to mpgs, I was even more interested in driving such that I could eke out more. Yes, an aberration: I should be stomping on the pedal, I know. Call me a geek. I passed lots of gas stations with really big vehicles sidled up to the pumps. I was toasty warm in the cockpit of what is a reasonably sized car (103.2-in. wheelbase). Apparently, given sub-$2.00/gallon fuel prices, the premium price for the hybrid powertrain versus a conventional setup (e.g., the Civic EX sedan with an automatic: $18,060) will not be recovered at the fuel pump. So what? Isn’t it nice to know that you’re sacrificing a few bucks so that you don’t have to inhale fumes and that you’re helping support energy independence? (OK, that’s an exaggeration, but if we all had 40+ mpg vehicles, just imagine how less relevant the Middle East would be.)

In all, as I think about the vehicles that I had the opportunity to drive in 2002, the Civic Hybrid is one of the best. No, I’m not crazy about the fabric used in the interior (even though it is said to be up-level compared to other Civic sedans), but that’s about the main quibble.

This is a Civic sedan. A great one.